What the Cat Dragged In is Miranda James’ fourteenth Cat in the Stacks mystery. After thirteen books in a series, some authors just seem to phone it in. However, this one just might be the best yet in the series.

When Sean Harris told his father, Charlie, that he’d inherited his grandfather’s farm, Charlie didn’t believe him. He always thought his grandfather sold the home place because Charlie’s father didn’t want to be a farmer. But, Charlie’s grandfather had given a life-lease to Martin Hale, and once Hale died, the property all reverted to Charlie.

It’s been over four decades since Charlie had been on the property, so he and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, take a ride out to the farm. While exploring the attic, Diesel finds a skull, and Charlie finds bones in an old wardrobe. He hopes they have nothing to do with his grandfather, but he calls the sheriff’s department. Kanesha Berry, chief deputy of the Athena County Sheriff’s Dept., takes an interest, but it might be an old skeleton. She is more concerned when a body is found on the property after a storm.

Because Kanesha doesn’t want the curious Charlie involved in the investigation, he finds another way to satisfy his curiosity. He knows nothing about his family history or his grandfather’s connection to Martin Hale. Charlie digs into a book that includes a little about his family, talks to the woman who compiled that history, and checks out the Harris family history at the local historical society. His research provides him with some surprising connections.

All of the regular characters appear in What the Cat Dragged In, so readers will be satisfied. There was something appealing, though, about Charlie looking for family history now that he himself is a grandfather who has descendants he can pass those stories to. While Charlie always has some reason to stick his nose into investigations, his role as patriarch of the Harris family provides him with reasons to search for answers.

Anyone who has followed this series from the beginning will remember Charlie’s early appearance, a somewhat lonely man accompanied by Diesel. It’s satisfying to see him surrounded by family and created family, part of a group that appreciates him. What the Cat Dragged In, with the links to family and local history, just might be the most enjoyable mystery in the series.

Miranda James’ website is http://www.catinthestacks.com/

What the Cat Dragged In by Miranda James. Berkley, 2021. ISBN 9780593199466 (hardcover), 304p.


FTC Full Disclosure – I read a .PDF for a journal review.